•Late Mary Habila and David Umahi
Minister of Works, David Umahi, has said some individuals lobbied President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to remove him from office following the death of one of his staff members, Mary Habila, but the president declined and urged him to remain focused on his duties.
In a video circulating on social media, Umahi said President Tinubu rejected the calls for his removal and instead encouraged him to continue delivering road infrastructure across the country, reports Daily Trust.
“They asked the president to sack me, but he told me to continue building roads for Nigerians,” the minister said.
Habila reportedly died on June 27 at Umahi’s country home in Uburu, Ohaozara Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
She was identified as the minister’s personal nurse.
The circumstances surrounding her death have sparked controversy, with conflicting claims emerging over the cause of her death.
Some reports alleged she was part of the minister’s entourage in a different capacity, an allegation that has not been substantiated.
The handling of her remains has also generated public debate. While the Nigeria Police had called for an autopsy to determine the cause of death, Habila’s parents opposed the procedure, saying it was against their cultural and personal beliefs.
The police have yet to publicly announce the outcome of their investigation into the incident.
Speaking in the video clip, Umahi said: “God surprised me when people took the death of one of my best workers and started to play politics with it.
“They said the president should sack me. Why should he sack me? For doing what? Because somebody working with me died, then I must be sacked? But the president surprised all of them. He told me, ‘Dave, go and build more roads.”
